House Reduces Planned Raise to State Workers

Published April 11th, 2013

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida House has approved an amendment to a budget bill that reduces a proposed $1,400 pay raise to state workers.

The House approved the change to a budget bill (HB 5001) on Thursday. House budget chair Seth McKeel said employees instead would get a recurring increase of $1,000 a year in their paychecks but a one-time $400 bonus based on merit.

It caught several members off guard. Republican Rep. Mike Fasano said voting for the measure would be like reneging on a promise. McKeel said the original $1,400 figure was only a suggestion.

Democratic Rep. Mark Pafford even suggested McKeel was attempting to pay for the House Medicaid expansion alternative by stiffing state workers. State employees have not received a raise since 2006.